Life for the Dead

March 26, 2023 —

Death is the bitter lot we inherited from Adam. But God wants us to know that even in the face of death, He promises that whoever believes in Him will live, even though he dies. The “resurrection of the body” we confess in the creed is the Crown Jewel of Christianity. We will hold and walk and laugh with our loved ones again in the new heaven and new earth! That, more than anything, makes our faithful walk through life as Christ’s disciples worthwhile.

In the Gospel Lesson, John records the seventh of the seven signs that Jesus is truly the Christ. Jesus proves He is Lord of life and death, as He raises Lazarus from the dead after four days in a tomb. Jesus is as He claims “the resurrection and the life.”

Our Old Testament Lesson relates another story of a sad death and a joyful resurrection. God had given a childless woman a son. But then that son sadly passed away in her arms. She was understandably distraught. The prophet Elisha prayed and pleaded with God on her behalf and God restored her son to life. Our God created life, and He gives it back, ultimately to all who believe in Him and His promises. to us!

In our Epistle Lesson. St. Paul urges us to live as those who have already been given new life which will never end. And that is what we have! As Jesus said, “whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” How do we know? The Holy Spirit already lives in us. How can we tell? Because we live as God’s children. Therefore, “our sufferings at the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.”

This Week’s Lessons:

2 Kings 4:17–37

Romans 8:11–19  (sermon text)

John 11:17–27,38–45

Psalm 130